g. 

t LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



J 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



POINTS AND ARGUMENTS 



ON THE 



GREAT PROPHETIC PERIODS, 



MAINTAINING THEIR TERMINATION 



IN 1850. 



B Y 



STEPHEN REED, ESQ,., A. M., 46., 

COUNSELLOR AT LAW. 




NEW-YORK: 
TRIBUNE STEAM BOOK AND JOB OFFICE, 

Nos. 5 and 7 Spruce-Street. 
1 8 5 0. 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1850, by 
STEPHEN REED, 
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 
Southern District of New York 



POUTS AID ARGUMENTS. 



Point 1. That the 70 weeks of Daniel, chap. 9, 24th verse, (490 years 
as allowed by all commentators, evidently so, from the nature 
of the events to transpire within their limits) are (the verb 
"Chathak," in our English version, rendered "determined" 
from its Chaldaic and Rabinnical usage, having the single 
signification of cut off. Chaldeo Rabinnic Dictionary of 
Stockius. Hengstenberg's Chris., Old Test., vol. 2, p. 301,) 
"cut off" from the 2300 days; Dan., 8 c, 14th v., years, 
from the nature of the case, (as admitted by Dr. Jarvisinhis 
discourses on prophecy, ser. 2d, pp. 46, 48 and by Sir Isaac 
Newton in his observ. on Dan., pp. 122, 123,) marking the 
duration of certain empires mentioned and described in the 
8th ch. of Daniel's book, as seen by him in the vision there- 
in mentioned, of which vision, (as is clear from the critical 
reading of the 13th v. of the 8th ch., the question therein 
asked being in the Hebrew text, "How long the vision, the 
Daily and the abomination making desolate, to give both the 
sanctuary and the Host to be trodden under foot?" (the verb 
in the septuagint, av^a-trid^Btai shall be trampled un- 
der foot together, )) the 2300 days are the whole length, 
and were to last till the end of time, Sir Isaac Newton's 
obs. on Dan., p. 124 ; the obvious meaning of the question 
being, "How long shall the vision last, during which, the 
sanctuary and the Host were to be trodden under foot;" the 



4 

"Daily" and the "Transgression," there brought to view 
being connected with events to happen during its continuance, 
though not necessarily beginning or ending with it. 

2. That they began in the 20th year of the reign of Artaxerxes 
Longimanus. Compare Dan., 9 c, 25th verse, with Neh. 
2d. and 4th ch. 

3. That the 1st year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus 
began in the 2d year of the 77th Olympiad. 

4. That the 1st Olympiad fell, according to the most accurate 
computations, in the 776th year before the computation of 
time now in use, and exactly 775 full years before our Anno 
Domini. Jarvis' Intro., ch. h., p. 40. Lon. Ency., vol. 
16, &c. 

76th Oly. X 4=304 years. 

2 2d year of 77th Olym. 

775 years — 306 years =469 years. 

5. That the 2d year of the 77th Olympiad, is the year 469 be- 
fore our A. D. 

6. That the 1st year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus, 
falling in the second year of the 77th Olympiad, the year 
469 before our A. D., the twentieth year of his reign fell 
in the year 450 before our A. D. 

7. That the 1st year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus, 
fell in the 2nd year of the 77th Olympiad, viz. ; in the year 
469 before our A. D. is evident from the following facts : 

Diodorus Siculus, the historian, informs us in his 11th book 
that Themistocles, the Athenian, having been suspected of 
treason by the Grecians, fled from Greece into Asia, in the 
2nd year of the 77th Olympiad. Diod. Sic, b. XL, Dean. 
Prid. con. vol. 2, p. 44. 

Thucydides, the Greek historian, cotemporaneous with Ar- 
taxerxes Longimanus, in his 1st book says that Themistocles 



5 



fled from the Grecians into Asia, to Artaxerxes the son of 
Xerxes for protection, vemtL fiaatuvovtoiy newly reigning. 

Deau Prideaux remarks con. vol. 2 p. 44, from the pas- 
sage in Thucydides, that it is plain that Thucydides speaks 
of Artaxerxes as then newly reigning after his father's death. 

From the letter of Themistocles to Artaxerxes given at 
length in Thucydides, wherein he expressly mentions . the 
Father of Artaxerxes, it is perfectly clear that it was to Ar- 
taxerxes the son of Xerxes that Themistocles fled for protec- 
tion from the Grecians. Thucydides, b. 1. 

With Thucydides, on this point agrees, Charon of Lamp- 
sacus, a writer of history before Herodotus, and who 
at the very time of this event lived in Asia, therefooj 
the less liable to err. Hengstenberg's Chris, vol. 2d. p. 401. 

Also, Plutarch, (Life of Themistocles,) who intimates the 
weight of testimony is on the side of Thucydides, and that 
the testimony of Thucydides on this point seems most 
agreeable to Chronology. Also, Cor. Nepos who says he 
believes that Thucydides knew best as to this matter, be- 
ing the nearest to those times, of those who have written 
•n this subject : also Suidas and the Scholiast on Aristoph 
Equites, Hengs. Chris. Vol. 2d, p. 401. 

Themistocles on his passage from Greece into Asia, fell in 
with^ the Athenian fleet beseiging Naxos. Thucy. 1. b. 
The seige of Naxos, according to Thucydides, chap. 100, 
happened before the great battle of the Eurymedon — as this 
was the first considerable undertaking of the Athenians 
against the Persians, the war with whom formed the only 
ground for the important requisitions which they made upon 
their allies ; Thucy. 1. 94. It cannot, on the most weighty 
testimonies, be placed later than the year 469 before our 
A. D. 

The limits assigned to these points will not permit of ma- 
ny other historical facts being offered in support of the posi- 
tion herein taken. 



6 



8. That if Themistocles fled from the Grecians for protection 
to Artaxerxes newly reigning after the death of his father, 
and his flight took place in the second year of the 77th 
Olympiad in the year 469 before our A. D., Artaxerxes 
Longimanus commenced his reign before the year 465 before 
our A. D. ; the usual point of time assigned by Chronolo- 
gers, for the commencement of his reign, adjusted by the 
canon of Ptolemy. Jarvis' appendix to discourses on prophe- 
cy, p. 157. 

9. That Xerxes the father of Artaxerxes commenced his reign 
in the year 485 before our A. D. 

10. That Artaxerxes Longimanus died in the year 423 before our 
our A. D. Both which last stated points are allowed by 
the ablest Chronologers, adjusted by the Canon as given by 
Calvisius in his Opus Chronologicum, published 1613, and 
by Petavius in his Rationarum Temporum, published 1672. 
Also by Dr. Hales, in his system of Chronology, vol. 1, pp. 
163, 164, &c. 

11. That the collected number of the years of the reigns of 
Xerxes and Artaxerxes above named is sixty two, agreeing 
in that particular with Ptolemy's canon. 

Can. Ptol. Petav. Rat. Temp, 
Calv. Opus. Chro. 

12. That Xerxes, father of Artaxerxes, did not reign 21 years, 
the length of time assigned to his reign in the canon, is clear 
from a comparison of the statements of Justin the historian, 
1 c. with those of Ctesias, the historian, ch. 22, respecting 
the age of Darius, the eldest son of Xerxes at his father's 
death, Hengs, Chris, vol. 2, p. 398 ; and from the circum- 
stance that after the close of the war between Xerxes and 
the Grecians, no later events are introduced in the reign 
of Xerxes, except one inconsiderable transaction recorded 
by Ctesias. And that if Xerxes reigned twenty-one years, 



7 



the last years of his reign are a complete "tabula rasa." 
Heng's. Chris., vol. 2, p. 398. 

13. That Artaxerxes Longimanus reigned full 45 complete 
years ; 4 years longer than is assigned as the length of his 
reign in Ptolemy's canon ; as Peter Wesseling, one of the 
most learned men that Germany ever produced, in his cele- 
brated notes on Diodorus Sic, book 12th, has well ob- 
served and fully substantiated. Wesseling onDiod., 12, 64. 

14. That Artaxerxes Longimanus commenced his reign four 
years earlier than the year 465 before our A. D. 

15. That the canon of Ptolemy is not conclusive evidence either 
as to the length or time of beginning of the reign of Artax- 
erxes Longimanus. 

16. That men of the greatest learning, as Usher, Wesseling, 
Rollin, Hengstenberg, and many others, have paid no atten- 
tion to the canon, as to the length or time of commencement 
of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus, estimating the canon 
as to these points last mentioned, as any other historical 
record. Heng's. Chris., vol. 2, pp. 396, 397. 

17- That Diodorus Siculus has given as the length of the 
reign of Artexerxes Longimanus. 

" 44 years. Diod. 11th b. c. 18th. 

Ctesias, 42 " Baahr on Ctesias, p. 184. 
Wesseling, 45 " Diod. 12th, 64. 
Rollin, 49 " His. b. 8th, chap. 1. 
Hengstenberg, 51 " Chris, vol. 2, p. 399. 
Usher, 50 " Prid. con. vol. 2., p. 45. 

18. That while the canon of Ptolemy is undoubtedly support- 
ed in a great many instances by eclipses mentioned in Ptole- 
my's Al'Magest, yet it is absolutely and undeniably true, 
as Hengstenberg has well observed in his Chris., of the Old 
Testament, vol. 2. p. 396, that the length of the reign of 
Artaxerxes Longimanus as given in the Canon, does not there 
rest on astronomical observations. 



s 



19. That the 1st year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimaims 
is not defined by any eclipse in Ptolemy's Al'Magest. 

20. That the points herein taken do not conflict with the canon 
as to the year of the beginning, or ending, or as to the length 
of the reigns of any of the Kings mentioned in the canon, 
except as to the length and ending of the reign of Xerxes, 
(father of Artaxerxes Longimanus) and the beginning and 
the length of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus — nor do 
the points herein taken conflict with the collected number of 
years of the reigns of those last mentioned kings, or with 
the collected number of years of the reigns of all the kings 
mentioned in the canon, or with the beginning, or ending, 
or length of the reigns of any of the kings mentioned in the 
canon, marked by eclipses in Ptolemy's Al'Magest. 

These points curtailing the length of the reign of Xerxes, 
father of Artaxerxes, given in the Canon by as many years 
as they add to the length of the reign of his son. 

21. That there being unquestionably errors in the Canon as to 
length of the reigns of Evilmerodach, Belshazzar, Cyrus, 
Esar Haddon, &c, which Dr. Hales in his system of Chro- 
nology, in his observations on the Canon, vol. 1. pp. 163, 166, 
167 &c, and Dr. Jarvis in the appendix to his discourses on 
prophecy, (at large) endeavour to adjust by compensation and 
otherwise, there is reason to suspect, there may also be 
errors therein as to the length and time of ending of the 
reign of Xerxes herein named, and of the length and time 
of beginning of the reign of Artaxerxes, also herein named, 
especially when weightly authorities and strong historical 
points are introduced in opposition to the Canon in these 
last mentioned particulars. 

22. That the adjustment of the canon to the Christian and oth- 
er eras for the time of the commencement of the reigns of 
the Kings named therein, where the time of the commence- 
ment of their reigns is not marked by eclipses, being a work 



9 



of comparatively modern date, is liable to error, owing to 
the different views entertained by as many able Chronologers 
as to the precise time of defining the commencement of the 
several eras. 

23. That on the supposition that the canon of Ptolemy be free 
from error as to the length of the reign of Artaxerxes, and 
that he commenced his reign in the year 465 before our A. 
D., it is utterly impossible to connect the TO weeks herein 
before mentioned, with the 2300 days, also herein herebefore 
mentioned as respects the year in which the crucifixion of 
ourLord could have taken place, so as to adjust the latter 
event in harmony with the prophecy mentioned in Dan. 9th 
chap., in the true intent and meaning thereof. 

24. That the crucifixion could not have taken place later than 
in the year 33 of our A. D., is evident from the length of 
of the administration of Pontius Pilate, (the fifth governor of 
Judea under the Romans,) under whose administration our 
Lord came to his passion ; Acts, 4, c. 2T, v. The year of the 
deposition from office, of Joseph, surnamed Caiaphas the High 
Priest, the death of Tiberius ; in whose reign our Lord was to 
suffer ; Dan. xi. c, 22d v., and the "Paschal full moons" from 
A. D., 31 to A. D. 37, inclusive. 

25. That it has well been determined by the most careful and 
nice astronomical calculations of the most able astronomers in 
every age, who have strictly followed the data and rules, as 
laid down by Josephus and Philo, (as illustrated by the obser- 
vations of Geminus the Grecian astronomer for the time of the 
appearance of the new Moon,) for computing the 1st. day of 
the Jewish month, from the day after the Synod or mean 
conjunction of the moon with the sun ; viz, from the 2d day 
of the moon, at evening, that a "Paschal full moon" did not 
fall on a Friday from A. D. 31 to A. D. 37 inclusive, except 
in the year 33 of our A. D. Ferguson's astronomy. Sir 
Isaac Newton's observations on Daniel, &c, pp. 162, 165. 



10 



Kennedy's Astr. Chro. pp. 365, 366, 367. Jos. Ant. B. Ill 
chap. 10. Dr. Hale's Chro. vol. 1, p. 67. 

26. That from the four gospels it is conclusively established 
that the crucifixion of our Lord took place at a passover 
full moon on a Friday, the day preceding the Jewish Sab- 
bath, our Saturday. Matthew 27th chap., Mark 15th chap. 
Luke 23d chap., John 19th chap. 

27. That according to Eusebius, the administration of Pilate 
commenced in the twelfth year of the sole reign of Tiberius 
Eus. H. E. b. 1, c. 2, compare c. 10, which year fell in our 
A. D. 25, astronomically determined by the eclipse of the 
sun that happened a few days before the battle of Actium, 
in which Caesar Augustus was victor over Anthony, (the 
battle of Actium being one of the epochs from which the 
reign of Augustus, the predecessor of Tiberius, was deter- 
mined,) and by an eclipse of the moon occurring immediate- 
ly after the death of Augustus which was the means of quell- 
ing the insurrection of the Pannonian Legion and its sub- 
mission to Tiberius. Ferguson's Astron. Dr. Hale's 
chro., Jarvis' intro. , ch. h. Memoirs of the court of Augustus 
vol. 3, p. 550, Gillie's history of the world, vol. 3,pp. 474,475, 
and that Pilate's administration according to Josephus, Antiq. 
b. 18, c. 4 sec. 2, as also determined by Sir Isaac Newton, 
obs. on Dan. &c, p. 164, lasted only 10 years, and that it 
consequently ended in the 35th year of our A. D. as 
proved by Dr. Jarvis, Intro, ch. h. p. 369 and other able 
chronologers. 

28. That certainly not later than the year 36 of our A. D., 
Joseph surnamed Caiaphas, mentioned in John, 18th chap., 
Mat., 26 c, as connected with the events of our Lord's suffer- 
ings, was removed by Vitellius from the High Priesthood, and 
Jonathan the son of Ananus, called in Scripture, Annas, Jo- 
seph. Antiq. b. 18, chap. 4, § 3, substituted in his place as is 
evident from Dr. Jarvis' intro. ch. h. pp. 366, 367, and Sir 



11 



Isaac Newton's Observations on Daniel, p. 167. Newton 
making Jonathan to have been made High Priest in the 22d 
year of Tiberius — the 36th year of our A. D. 

29. That the death of Tiberius as has been critically determined 
by Dr. Jarvis, took place in the 36th year of our A. D. 
Jarvis' intro., ch. h. p 265, although the time of his death 
has generally been assigned by chronologers to the year 
37 of our A. D. 

30. That the extraordinary darkness of the sun, connected with 
a most remarkable earthquake, recorded by Phlegan, the 
Trallian, the heathen compiler of the remarkable events that 
occurred in each of the years of the Olympiads in his 13th 
book. (Extracted from the Chronicon of Eusebius, in the 
Chronographia of Syncellus, and from the Latin version of 
St. Jerome, of the Chronicon of Eusebius, and from the 
Chronicon Paschale,) to have taken place in the 4th year of 
the 202d Olympiad determined by James Ferguson, the cel- 
ebrated astronomer, to have been the 33d year of our A. D. 
Lond. Ency., vol. 5th, proving the accuracy of the point here- 
in heretofore taken as to the computation of the Olympiads, 
and in the 19th year of the sole reign of Tiberius, taken in 
connection with the circumstance of John beginning to preach, 
Luke 3d c, in the 15th year of the sole reign of Tiberius, in the 
4742d year of the Julian Period, Sir Isaac Newton's obser. 
on Daniel p. 147, (the word yyspovlag signifying "of the 
Supreme power," Liddell and Scott's Greek Lex.,) and the 
immediate connection of the preaching of Christ therewith 
in the 16th year of the sole reign of Tiberius, Sir Isaac 
Newton's observation on Dan. p. 147, at thirty years of age. 
Luke, 3d and 4th c. Heng'schris-, voL 2d,pp. 392, 393. His 
observance of four passovers as brought to view in John, (that 
the feast mentioned in John 5 c. 1. v. was a passover, is evi- 
dent from the true reading in the Greek, being v «op7^ in the 
two Syriac versions, the Coptic, and in more than twenty-five 
manuscripts, including three of the oldest,) and the fact that 



12 



the only "Paschal full moon," that, by the rules heretofore 
herein alluded to, could have fallen on a Friday from the year 
31 to the year 37, inclusive, of our A. D., happening in the 
year 33 of our A. D., with all the other points herein taken, for- 
tified by the arguments herein advanced in support thereof, 
furnish conclusive evidence that the crucifixion took place in 
the year 33 of our A. D. ; in the 4746th year of the Julian pe- 
riod — the 780th year of the Nabonasarean Era, at a Passover 
full moon on the 3d day of April on a Friday in that year, by 
the Julian calendar, under the administration of Pontius Pi- 
late, Annas and Caiphas being High Priests,Ferguson's astr., 
Kennedy's astron. chro., p. 696, Bouilleau, and Toinard's as- 
tron. calculations, Eus. chro. armenico textu ven. 1818, 4 to 
pars 11, pp. 261, to 267, L'art de verifier les dates &c, par 
congregation de saint Maur torn. 2., which points are further 
strengthened from the circumstance that commencing the 1st 
year of the 70 weeks, herein before mentioned in the year 450 
before our A. D., the 69 weeks or 483 years in the prophecy 
in Daniel, 9th c, will be made to have terminated in the 
year 33 of our A. D. 

31. That from the uses and purposes of the 70 weeks, Dan. 9th 
chap. 24th v., it is perfectly clear that in no sense whatever 
can they be construed so as to reach or extend to the year 70 
of our A. D., the year of the destruction of the city of Jeru- 
salem, as Hales, Mede, Scaliger and others contend they do : 
and that the information given, Dan. 9th chap., by the angel 
Gabriel to Daniel, as to what should befal the city and the 
Jewish nation, is in connection with the events of the balance 
oi tliQ 2300 days (years,) to explain the events and time 
connected with which was the design of his mission to Dan- 
iel, comp., Dan. 8th ani 9th chaps., for on the supposition 
that these weeks extended to the year 70 of our A. D., the 
harmony of the time and prophetic word is disarranged, and its 
true intent and obvious meaning obscured and perverted. 

32. That Christ, (Messiah,) according to the critical readingj 
Dan., 9 c. 26, v., was to be cut off after three score and two 



13 



weeks from a certain given event, viz., the going forth of the 
commandment, &c, Dan., 9 c, v. 25, and that the 69th week 
(v. 25,) extended in the year of the crucifixion, beyond the 
ascension to a point of time in that year where the 70th 
week began. It is very remarkable that Gabriel said "from 
the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build 
Jerusalem unto Messiah, the Prince" "until an anointed one, 
a Prince, are seven weeks and two and sixty weeks," Heng's 
Chris., vol. 2d, p. 328, a way of numbering used by no nation. 
Sir Isaac Newton's obs. on Dan. p. 137, and then immedi- 
ately added, v. 26th, "and after the sixty two weeks shall be 
exterminated an anointed one," Hengs. Chris, vol. 2, p. 343. 
If Gabriel had intended to convey the idea that Messiah was to 
be cut off at the end of the 69 weeks, he would expressly have 
so said. His first using the words, "unto Messiah the Prince, 
seven weeks, threescore and two weeks," and then immediately 
afterwards the words, "after threescore and two weeks shall 
Messiah be cut off," goes to argue, avoiding the doing of 
violence to his language, that the 69th week in the 
year of the crucifixion was to extend till a point of time beyond 
it in that year was reached, when in strict accordance with 
Acts, 2d, c. 36, v. Jesus was in point of law, "both Lord and 
Christ," Kvptoj xat xp 1 $gos " having authority" — "an anoint- 
ed one," — the similar phrase, "Messiah the Prince" — "an 
anointed one, a Prince," Dan., 9th c, 25th v. 

33. That the critical reading of the Hebrew text, Dan. 9 c. 27th 
v. is " one week will confirm ( c strengthen, 5 ) the covenant 
with many," Hengs. Chris, vol. 2,p 354, incorrectly rendered 
in our English version, "he shall confirm, &c." 

34. That the confirmation of the covenant, testament Dan. 9 a 
27 v., (in the Greek, Siad m ) new covenant, comp. Jer. 
31st c, 31st 32d v., Heb. 8th c. 6th and 7th v., commenced 
Heb. 2nd and 9th c, after and not before the death of the tes*- 
tator, by the Apostles of our Lord, the witnesses to it, Luke, 
24 c, 48 v., who are styled, 2d Cor., 3d c, 6 v., (Scaxovot) 
agents or administrators of the " New Testament," and 
that in point of law, it could not have gone into force and 



14 



operation before the death of the testator (Christ,) as ably- 
argued by the Apostle, Heb. 9 c.16, 17 v., Gal. 3 c. 15 v., 
and in perfect keeping with all civil and divine law. 

35. That the 70 weeks Dan. 9 c. 24 v., among other purposes 
therein mentioned are from the critical reading of the He- 
brew text given " Kodesh, Kodashim, Mashach," to anoint a 
" Holy of Holies" Hengs. Chris., vol. 2, p. 297, incorrectly 
rendered in our English version " the most Holy." 

36. That the 1st year of the 70th week began at a point of time 
in the year of the crucifixion in exact accordance with, and in 
strict pursuance of the Levitical law on the day in that year 
when the High Priest under the law in accordance with the 
command, Lev. 16 c. 14th, 15th, 16th vs. sprinkled the mercy 
seat in the holy of holies in the temple on Earth with the 
blood of the victims, viz : on the 10th day of Tizri (the 7th 
Jewish month) on the great day of atonement. 

37. That on that day in the year of the crucifixion, Christ the 
High Priest of our Profession, Heb. 3d c. 1st v. in exact ac- 
cordance with, and in strict pursuance of the Levitical law, 
anointed, consecrated and set apart "the holy place" on high, 
to a sacred and peculiar use when in the language of the 
Apostle Heb. 9 c. 12 v. he with his own blood entered "the 
holy place" and Heb. 9 c. 23rd v. the heavenly things them- 
selves were purified in the sense of sanctified with the better 
sacrifice (blood) of Christ. Which day, viz, the great day 
of atonement in the year of the crucifixion, A. D. 33 fell 
according to the Julian Calendar and the course of the moon, 
on the 22d day of September at the Equinoctial Point. 

38. That as Christ says, Mathew 5 c. 17th, 18th v. he came not to 
destroy, but to fulfil the law, and "till Heaven and Earth pass, 
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be 
fulfilled." This was the only point of time in the year of the 
crucifixion or in any other year, that in exact accordance with 
and in strict pursuance of the Levitical law, the " Holy 
Place" on high, could have been anointed with the blood 
of Christ. It is not for a moment to be allowed that as 



15 



Christ so strictly elsewhere observed every point and minu- 
tiae of the law as in the case of beginning to preach at 30 
years of age, comp. Luke 3 and 4 chaps, the time pointed 
out, numbers 4th c, his coming into Jerusalem, John 12th 
c. on the 10th day of Nisan, the day Exodus 12th c. the 
lamb was to be taken and kept till the 14th of that month, 
his expiring on the cross immediately after the 9th hour, 
Mark, 15th c. 34-37 v., the precise time of killing the 
paschal lamb, Exo. 12th c. between the two evenings, viz : 
from the 9th to the 11th hour not a bone of him being bro- 
ken, John 19th c. 33 v. the direction Exo. 12th c. 46 v. 
to be observed with regard to the paschal lamb, his arising 
from the dead the morrow after the Sabbath, all the gos- 
pels, that Sabbath, John 19th c. 31st v. being a high day in 
strict accordance with the law ; Lev., 23d ch., 6th, 7th v., the 
course of the moon by God's appointment, making in the 
year 33 of our A. D. the " paschal full moon" to fall on a 
Friday, that in strict pursuance of the law he, (Christ,) might 
arise from the dead the 3rd day, Mat. 16th c. 21 v., on the 
morrow after the Sabbath the first fruits of them that slept 
1 Cor. 15th c. 20 v., the very day the law, Lev. 23 c. 10th 
11th vs. directed the first fruits of the harvest to be waved 
before the Lord thereby showing he (Christ) was the substance 
of this shadow: and the descent of the life giving power and ad- 
ministration of the Holy Spirit with its gifts, virtually abol- 
ishing the sacrifice and meat offering in the last half of the 
69th week after the death of Christ, according to the critical 
reading of the Hebrew text, u the half (last half,) (part) of the 
week will cause (incorrectly rendered in our English version, 
"he shall cause &c") to cease sacrifice and meat offering," 
Dan. 9th c. 27th v. Heb., 9th c, 9thandl0thv. ; Heng's 
chris. vol. 2, p. 354, on the day of Pentecost, Acts. 2nd c, 
superceding the administration of death, the law that had been 
given the same day, Exo., 19th chap, cal. die ; Bible cyclo., 
vol .2, p. 1024; Ency. rel. Kno., p. 922, by God on Mount Si- 
nai, during the sojourn of the children of Israel in the wilder- 
ness he (Christ) would have failed to fulfil that most remark- 
able point in the law, (for whi m the 70 weeks as heretofore ob- 



16 



served among other purposes were especially given) the 
"anointing," of the "Holy of Holies" on high the " mer- 
cy seat," with his own blood and his "better sacrifice" 
on the great day of atonement in the year of the 
crucifixion — He (Christ) uniting in his own person the 
quality both of Priest and victim. If the anointing of the 
" Holy place" on high did not take place on the day pointed 
out in the law, a part of the law assuredly passed away 
unfulfilled and his word and the prophecy in part failed. 
That he did sprinkle the " mercy seat" with his own blood, 
and anoint the " holy place" on high is clear from the whole 
of the 9th ch. of Hebrews, from 1 Pet. 1st c. 2nd v., 
Heb. 12th c. 24th v., where his blood is called " the blood 
of sprinkling" evidently in allusion to this circumstance. 

Precisely 1817 years (the difference between the 69 weeks 
(483 years) and the 2300 days (years)) from the 22d day of 
September in the year 33 of our A. D. the great day of atone- 
ment in that year ; by the data and strict rules laid down 
by Josephus and Philo, ( illustrated by the observations of 
Geminus, the Grecian astronomer, for the time of the appear- 
ance of the new moon,) for computing the 1st day of the Jew- 
ish month from the day after the Synod or mean conjunction 
of the moon with the sun, viz, from the 2nd day of the moon 
at evening, occurs in this remarkable year 1850 A. D., on 
the 22d day of September, (the 15th day of Tizri,) in the 7th 
Jewish month) the "Feast of Tabernacles," at the full moon, 
on the Sabbath day at the " Equinoctial Point," the sun on 
the point of entering the sign of the Zodiac, " Libra" " the 
scales of Justice." 

There is great reason to think the points herein taken will 
stand the test from the circumstance that they make the 
2300 days (years) to terminate in the fall of the year at the full 
moon, on the Sabbath day, at the Equinoctial Point, at which 
time, according to the most accurate computations of which 
the nature of the case admits, according to the astronomical 
calculations of Kennedy and of several of the ablest astrono- 
mers and Chronologers, the creation took place. Kennedy 
in his Astronomical Chronology, in a very learned argument 



IT 



at great length, has shown that the creation began on the 
15th day of Tizri, at the Equinoctial point, and that the 
moon, when created, was at the full, in opposition to the 
sun ; and that when the Jews celebrate the feast of taberna- 
cles, they celebrate the birth-day of the world, Kennedy's 
astro, chro., pp. 151, 152, 153, 154, 393, &c. Justin Mar- 
tyr, Ireneus, Tertullian, Origen, all agree that the 1st day of 
Creation was the Lord's day, (our Sabbath.) 

From the account given in Genesis of the Creation, it is 
clear that every thing was created in perfection, so as imme- 
diately to afford sustenance for man and beast. This being 
the case, the Creation must have taken place in the Fall, that 
the seasons, with their fruits, might come round in regular 
order. 

That the points herein are well taken, is evident from the 
circumstance that in no year later of our A. D., than in the 
year 515 of that era, unless the wars undertaken late in the 
reign of Justinian, the successor of Justin, many years af- 
terwards, had a bearing on this particular prophecy — a view 
extremely difficult to be sustained, and not contended 
for by any able expositor, can a point of time be 
found for the accomplishment of the prophecy, Dan. 11 
c, 31 v., the setting up, by "Tsaba," force of arms, milita- 
ry power, of the "abomination of desolation." This is the 
Papal system of rites and worship, the "mystery of iniquity" 
brought to view in 2d Thess., 2d ch., evident from the an- 
alogy and parallell between it and the "Daily," the old Ro- 
man Pagan system of rites and worship, (as ably shown by 
Dr. Conyers Middleton, in his letter from Rome,) which had 
previously, according to the prophecy, been taken away by 
force of arms, Gibbon's decline and fall, &c. It is evident 
that if the taking away of the "Daily," and the setting up of 
the " abomination that maketh desolate," be the taking 
away of the Jewish sacrifice, and the setting up of the 
Roman ensigns in the temple at the destruction of Jeru- 



IS 



salem in the year 70 of our A. D., as contended for by Dr. 
Hales and others, from the times limited in Dan. 12 c, 
11, 12, 13 vs., and the events connected with their com- 
mencement, and the nature of the occurrences at the end of 
those times, that if one of those times expired in the year 
1360 of our A. D., 1290 days (years) from A. D. 3 TO, and 
the other in the year 1405 of our A. D., 1335 days (years) 
from A. D. 70, no events in the history of the world tran- 
spired to fulfil the prophecy, and that it consequently fail- 
ed of accomplishment, and that on the supposition that the 
1290 days and 1335 days, in Dan. 12th c, are literal s days, 
no events in the history of the world can be found to mark 
their beginning or termination. 

The abomination of desolation, according to the prophecy, 
was not to be set up by the decrees or enactments of councils 
or of the Senate, or of the Emperors, but by "Tsaba," mili- 
tary power. 

This, in the western part of the Roman Empire, had previ- 
ously been, accomplished by Clovis, in his time. Gibbon's Dec- 
and Fall, Mosheim's, ch. h. Dupin, Hallam, Gilford's his- 
tory of France, pp 32 to 39 — Howell's Int. to Gen. Hist., vol. 
3, pp. 342 to 347— Baroni, torn., 6-Mezeray's hist, of France, 
p. 19. Clovis died in 511 of our A. D. — Mezeray's. hist., 
p. 17. After Clovis' time, Vitallian, a Gothic chieftain, hav- 
ing at the instigation, and on behalf of the catholic party, in the 
year 514 of our A. D., depopulated Thrace, Maesia, and 
the neighboring countries ; in the year 515 of our A. D., 
beseiged the city of Constantinople, both by sea and land, 
with an immense force, and most effectually, by his military 
prowess, compelled the Emperor, Anastasius the First, (the 
first of all the sovereigns of Europe, excommunicated by 
the Pope,) who had been a most bitter enemy and persecu- 
for of the Catholics, to consent to and recognize the firm es- 
tablishment of the Roman Catholic faith on the terms pre- 



19 



scribed him by Vitallian, and an orthodox treaty to be made 
with the Bishop of Rome, and a council to be called to regulate 
the affairs of the church by and with the advice of the Bishop 
of Rome. 

By all which means herein mentioned in^ the year 515 of 
our A. D., throughout the whole Roman Empire, in its East- 
ern and Western divisions, was the "abomination of desola- 
tion," fully set up according to the prophecy in its true in- 
tent and meaning. 

Against the points herein taken, the objection has no force, 
that in the reign of Justin, the successor of Anastasius, a 
mob, in the city of Constantinople forced Justin more fully 
to carry out the designs of Vitallian — the prophecy contem- 
plating the setting up of the "abomination of desolation," 
not by a mob, but by force of arms, as heretofore herein 
maintained. Le Beau, histoire du Bas Empire, vol. 8. 1, 
38, 39 ; Tillemont, histoire des Empereurs, v. 6, 531 to 
652 ; Gibbon's decl. and fall, v. 7th, 6, 24, 101, 129, vol. 
8th, 316 ed., 1815 ; Evagrius, 1, III c, 29, 30, 34, &c. ; 
Cedrenus, pp. 620 to 631 ; Ed. Bonn., pp. 354 to 364, ed. 
Paris ; Theophanes, pp. 115 to 141, ed. Paris ; Gregorius 
Turonensis, I, II c. 38. Ammianus Marcellinus ed. Vale- 
sius, Excerpta, p. 663, 668 ; Dupin. 

1335 years, the entire length of duration of the papal sys- 
tem of rites and worship, from the time of its being set up by 
"Tsaba," force of arms, in the year 515, A. D., (also the year 
of the commencement of the 1290 days,) (years,) until its 
overthrow and destruction by the brightness of Christ's coming. 
2nd Thess., 1 c, 8 v., at the end of which time, viz., the 1335 
years, will occur the 1st resurrection brought to view in 
Dan., 12c, 12, 13v., taken in connection with Rev., 20 c. 4, 5, 
6 vs., will terminate in the year 1850 A. D., the same year 
the 2300 days years are made to terminate, from the points 



herein taken, harmonizing as to the time of their ending the 
great Prophetic Periods. 

The "time and times and the dividing of time," Dan., 7 c, 
25 v., allowed by all commentators to be 1260 years, do not 
mark the commencement or end of the Papal system, but are 
an intermediate space of time in its continuance, during which 
the "Saints of the Most High" were to be under its con- 
trol. They commenced, in the reign of Justinian, the Roman 
Emperor, (whose reign lasted from A. D., 527 to A. D., 
565. Hales' Chro., vol. 1, p. 165,) as is perfectly clear from 
the 131st section of the Novellae, ch. 2, on the ecclesiastical 
privileges and dignities compiled in the reign of that Emperor, 
decreeing the most Holy Pope of the Elder Rome, to be the 
first of all the Priesthood, and the most blessed, the Arch- 
bishop of Constantinople, the New Rome, to hold the second 
rank after the Apostolic chair of the Elder Rome. Novellae, 
sec. 131, ch. 2. Annales Baronii ; Deny's Godefroy De 
Corpore, Juris civilis, and have consequently ended, in further 
evidence of which among other circumstances appear 
the present enfeebled state and condition of the papacy, and 
its utter inability in our times, styled, in the language of one 
of the late Popes "most sorrowful times" for the "spouse of 
Christ," meaning the Romish church, to put to death the 
Saints of God. 

There is additional evidence that the points herein are well 
taken, from the circumstance that they make the 2300 days 
(years) to terminate in the seventh Jewish month of the year. 

The seventh month was to be holy in a peculiar manner, 
above the rest of the months of the Jewish year. Around it 
is thrown a halo of glory. In it are clustered the greater 
number of the solemn feasts of Jehovah's appointment. Le- 
viticus 23d ch. 

At the 1st advent of our Lord, God honored the Passover 



21 



in the 1st month, and the Pentecost in the 3d month, with 
great events and the most signal displays of his Providence. 

The position is not unreasonable or unscriptural, that the 
Institutions of the feasts of the seventh month will be mark- 
ed at the second coming of our Lord in power, and great 
glory, with still greater and more striking manifestations of 
his regard. 

At the feast of Tabernacles in the seventh month after the 
sounding of the Jubilee trumpet on the great day of atone- 
ment, in the Jubilee year, the abolition of debts, release of 
captives, and the return of the land to the original owners took 
place. Deut., 31st, c. 10, 11, v. &c. The restitution of all 
things to the Israelitish nation, in the seventh month, at the 
least of tabernacles, the feast of ingathering at the end of 
the year, when the Israelites had gathered in their labors 
out of the fields. Ex., 23d c, 16 v., is typical of the times 
of the restitution, (drro%ara<j-7ao'£« 5 complete restoration) of 
all things, Acts, 3 c, 20 and 21 vs. to the people of God, 
when Christ, having ceased from his labors, (the offering up 
of the atonement ended,) he, John, 11, c. 52, v. shall gather to- 
gether in one the children of God that are scattered abroad 
when, Eph., 1 c, 10 v., in the dispensation of the fullness of 
times, he shall gather together in one all things in Christ, 
both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in 
him — when the deliverance of the people of God, and of the 
whole creation, now in bondage, and groaning under the 
curse, shall be accomplished — when the Redeemer shall 
come to Zion, and the redemption of the bodies of all his 
saints, and of the purchased possession shall take place. 
Roms. 8, c. 19 to 23 v. Eph., 1 c, 9 to 4 v. 

The Passover and time of the Passover were clearly typi- 
cal of the crucifixion of our Lord, and of the time in the 
year of the crucifixion. 



22 



As Christ was crucified in the 1st month, and arose from 
the dead in that month, on the day shadowed forth by the 
type, and as the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, de- 
scended on the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, superceding 
the administration of death, 2 Cor., 3 c, T, 8 vs., &c, the 
law that had been given hundreds of years before, by God, 
on Mount Sinai, the same day, because the types pointed to 
those times ; So must the trumpet of the restitution of all 
things, (spoken by the Holy Prophets since the world began,) 
*o God's true Israel, sound in the seventh month, its type 
pointing to that time. 

That the ground taken in the argument of the points here- 
in stated is tenable, further appears from the circumstance 
that the first day of the feast of Tabernacles, in this year 
1850 of our A. D., occurs on the Sabbath day, in strict ac- 
cordance with the direction in the law, Lev., 23 c, 39 v* 
The points herein taken making the 2300 days (years,) to 
terminate in this year, A. D., 1850, on the feast of taberna- 
cles. The feast of Tabernacles, Lev., 23 c, 34 v., was 
strictly to be observed seven days. The marriage ceremo- 
nies of the Jews, as in the case of Sampson, Judges, 14 c. 
IT, 18 vs., and of Tobias, Tobit ? 11 n. 19th v. lasted seven 
days. 

This is the space of time brought to view, Rev., 8c, 1 v., 
on the opening of the seventh seal, the sixth seal closing, Rev., 
6th c, 17th v., with the introduction of the great day of the 
wrath of the Lamb against his enemies. 

On the arrival of the marriage party at their abode, they 
immediately sat down at table, with songs of great rejoicing. 
Buxtorf synag., Jud., c. 28, &c, 

At the feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites carried palm 
branches in their hands, which with great rejoicings, they 



23 



waved towards the four winds of heaven — Stehlin's Jewish 
Traditions, Lev., 23, c. 40, v., and sang the Psalms beginning 
with Hallelujah, viz . the 111th, 112th, 113th, 116th, 117th, 
and especially the 118th Psalm, shouting "blessed is he that 
cometh in the name of the Lord : Hosanna in the highest !" 
Luke, 13th e., 35 v., Psalm 118, c. 26th v : The great 
" Hosanna Rabbah." Leo of Modena, on the Ceremonies of 
the Jews, p. 2, c. 7. 

The great multitude that John saw, Rev., 7th c, at the 
end of the sealing time, before the throne robed in white 
bore tyoivixes palm trees, (incorrectly rendered "Palms 55 
in our English version,) in their hands. The words of the 
song they sung are similar in expression to those of the 14th 
and 15th verses of the 118th Psalm, and the ascriptions of 
the Angels, Elders, &c, round about the throne, similar to 
passages in the Psalms, to which reference is herein had, 
in Rev., 19th c, where the (dslitvos <&& ydpov tov apvlov 
"Supper (banquet) of the marriage of the Lamb" is fully 
brought to view, John saw the same multitude, robed in 
white, shouting the great Alleluia with triumphant songs of 
rejoicing. 

The feast of Tabernacles was to be kept, Ex., 23 
e., 16 v., at the ingathering at the end of the year. 

The marriage supper of the Lamb, is to be celebrated, 
Rev. 19th c at the end of this age. 

The Feast of Tabernacles was Lev. 23d, c. 34th, v. &c, to 
be observed by the whole Isrealitish Nation. The marriage 
supper of the Lamb, is to be kept by the whole Israel of 
God Comp. Rev., 7 c, with Rev., 19 c. 

This is the feast brought to view, Isaiah, 25 c. 6 v., which 
the Lord of Hosts shall make to all (saved out of the) nations 
— "a feast of fat things ; a feast of wines on the lees ; of fat 
things, full of marrow; of wines on the lees well refined." 



24 



The feast of Tabernacles was to be kept in tents seven 
days, Lev. 23 c, 42, 43 vs., in memory of the dwelling of 
the children of Israel in tents, in the wilderness. 

The marriage supper of the Lamb, is to be celebrated in the 
New Jerusalem, the tabernacle of God with men, in memorial 
of the children of God having sojourned as pilgrims and 
strangers in this world, compare Rev. 19th and 21st c. 

The law, Heb., 10 c, 1 v., is represented as a shadow of 
good things to come — a system of types and figures, pointing 
to Christ and his kingdom. 

It is to this very day a shadow of some " good things to 
come," as all the good things shadowed forth by it have not 
yet become substance. Hence, in Malachi, 4th c, in imme- 
diate connection with the day of God, the solemn injunction 
to remember the law of Moses, with the statutes and ordi- 
nances. 

The High Priest, under the law, was a type of Christ; the 
"Holy of Holies, " a type of the "Holy place" on high ; the 
inner sanctuary. The coming out of the High Priest on the 
great day of atonement, of Christ's coming out of the Holy 
place, ("the offering up of the atonement ended") to bless 
his people. 

A further parallel exists between the Jewish High Priest, 
and Christ, the High Priest of our profession. Heb., 3 c, 
1 v., That the High Priest under the law, having, on the 
great day of atonement, Lev. 16 c, 14, 15, 16 vs., &c, 
anointed the "Holy place" with the blood of the victims, 
came out of it the same day, in his robes of state, and bless- 
ed the people, when, in the instance given in Lev., 9th c, 
22d, 23d vs., the glory of the Lord appeared unto the people: 
so Christ, in the commencement of the gospel age, (in Heb., 
3 c, 7 v., called to-day,) (one day,) (S^'po* scil. ^pa) in 
the " Holy place" on high, having anointed it with his own 



25 



blood, in strict pursuance of the law, in Lev., 16th ch., and 
the prophecy in Daniel, 9th ch., and as explained by the 
Apostle, Heb.j 9th c, at the end of that same day, the gos- 
pel age, (the offering up of the atonement ended,) in his robes 
of state, without a further sin offering, (in this one 
particular, differing from the Jewish High Priest,) will 
come out of his place, the "Holy place" on high, and bless 
his expecting people, Heb. 9 c, 28 v., and in his quality of 
High Priest and Judge dispense general Justice to all man- 
kind and punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, 
Isaiah, 26 c, 21 v., as the High Priest under the law, who, 
in addition to his being at the head of religious affairs, and 
the Judge of all difficulties in relation thereto, presided over 
the general Justice and Judgment of the whole Israelitish 
nation. Dent., IT c. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 vs. ; 19 c. 17 v. ; 21 c. 
5 v. ; 33 c, 9, 10 vs. ; Ez., 45 c, 21 v. ; Jos. Ant., b. 10, 
cap. ult., Contra Apion, b. 2d, c. 6. Not unreasonable or 
unscriptural is it to believe that the points herein taken, il- 
lustrating the harmonious concordance of types and anti- 
types with persons, places, events and times, are in perfect 
agreement and keeping with the whole tenor of the inspired 
word. 

In addition to the evidence afforded from these considera- 
tions of the rapidly approaching termination of the great 
Prophetic Periods, the "Signs of the Times, 5 ' and the aspect 
of the nations solemnly admonish the "unconcerned" by re- 
pentance and the forsaking of their sins, through faith in the 
atoning blood of the Lamb, immediately to turn to God, lest 
in the day of the Lord's fierce anger, when He shall rise up 
to the prey, sudden destruction overtake them, and "there be 
none to deliver;" and those "looking for the coming of the day 
of God," to lift up their heads and rejoice, knowing thai their 
redemption draweth especially nigh ; that, praj-ing always, 
they may be accounted worthy to escape all those things 
that are coming to pass, and to stand before the Son of man; 
that, having part in the "first resurrection," they may be 



26 



among the blessed number of those who shall be admitted to 
the "Banquet of the marriage of the Lamb." 

The Bridegroom from Heaven to Earth shall descend, 
Ten thousand bright Angels on Jesus attend ; 
The Saints, then immortal in splendor shall reign ; 
The Bride with the Bridegroom forever remain. 

God in his infinite mercy grant, that through the riches of 
his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, at his glorious appearing 
on the clouds of Heaven, in great power and majesty to judge 
the quick and dead, an abundant entrance may be admin- 
istered unto us, into his everlasting kingdom; and to him who 
sitteth on the throne of universal dominion and to the Lamb, 
forever shall be ascriptions of unceasing praise 



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